OSHA cites contractor in December roof collapse in Taunton

Tuesday

May 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMMay 27, 2008 at 11:13 AM

The steel-erection contractor overseeing work on a section of roofing in Taunton that collapsed last December, dropping nine iron workers 30 feet to the ground, and injuring six, has been cited for 15 alleged safety violations and faces a total of $239,600 in proposed fines.

The steel-erection contractor overseeing work on a section of roofing in Taunton that collapsed last December, dropping nine iron workers 30 feet to the ground, and injuring six, has been cited for 15 alleged safety violations and faces a total of $239,600 in proposed fines.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Ajax Construction Co. Inc. of Harrisville, R.I, for the alleged violations in steel erection safety standards in connection with the Dec. 4, 2007, building collapse at a storage building under construction in the Liberty and Union Industrial Park.

“The sizable fines proposed here reflect both the gravity of the hazards found at this jobsite, and the employer’s knowledge of and failure to correct them,” said Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s area director in Braintree. “This employer’s refusal to properly follow basic steel erection procedures placed employees at risk of crushing and other catastrophic injuries or death before, during and after the collapse.”

Jay Durand, chief estimator for Ajax, said Tuesday company officials had no comment at this time. “We’re aware of the allegations and we’re assessing them at present.”

OSHA’s inspection found that a powered industrial truck was improperly used to plumb, or straighten, a steel column that was disconnected from an overhead girder. Once the column was pulled out from under the now unsupported girder, the girder and the overhead decking on which employees were working collapsed. Afterward, a company official repeatedly entered the damaged structure even though entry was prohibited because the structure had not yet been stabilized and determined to be safe for entry.

For these conditions, plus failure to maintain structural stability during steel erection and other steel erection deficiencies, OSHA has issued Ajax Construction four willful citations, carrying $212,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

OSHA also has issued the company nine serious citations, with $21,000 in proposed fines, for exposing employees to struck-by hazards while the powered industrial truck was used to plumb steel columns; improper lifting slings; commencing steel erection without written notification as to the strength of concrete used for the base; improper modification of anchor bolts; and several steel erection deficiencies within an adjacent structure also under construction. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

In addition, OSHA has issued Ajax one repeat citation, with a $6,000 proposed fine, for an inadequate fall protection lifeline, a condition similar to one at a Wallingford, Conn., worksite for which OSHA had cited Ajax in July 2006. Finally, OSHA has issued one other-than-serious citation, with a $600 proposed fine, for not completing the OSHA 300 illness and injury log in a timely manner.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Roof sections 150-feet by 80-feet in extent on the warehouse in the Liberty and Union Industrial Park collapsed some 30 feet at about 9:45 on the morning of the accident. The injured iron workers were treated and released from area hospitals within a week of the collapse.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing “a thundering” sound prior to the collapse and saw construction workers sliding off the roof. Nine men were on the roof when it gave way, and slid more than 30 feet to the ground, witnesses said.

Taunton Fire Chief Leman Padelford said medical flights were requested for two of the injured at the scene. The helicopters were unable to reach the scene and had to cancel due to the high winds that morning.

One worker trapped on a lift after the roof collapsed was rescued by firefighters. He was not injured in the incident.

Taunton Call

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Lifestyle

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Steuben Courier Advocate ~ 10 West Steuben St., Bath, NY 14810 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service